A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. VII (4th edition) | Page 3

ever.
It is most certain (right virtuous and worshipful) that of all human
learning, poetry (how contemptible soever it is in these days) is the
most ancient; and, in poetry, there is no argument of more antiquity and
elegancy than is the matter of love; for it seems to be as old as the
world, and to bear date from the first time that man and woman was:
therefore in this, as in the finest metal, the freshest wits have in all ages
shown their best workmanship. So amongst others these gentlemen,
which with what sweetness of voice and liveliness of action they then
expressed it, they which were of her Majesty's right Honourable
maidens can testify.
Which being a discourse of two lovers, perhaps it may seem a thing
neither fit to be offered unto your ladyships, nor worthy me to busy
myself withal: yet can I tell you, madames, it differeth so far from the
ordinary amorous discourses of our days, as the manners of our time do

from the modesty and innocency of that age.
And now for that weary winter is come upon us, which bringeth with
him drooping days and tedious nights, if it be true, that the motions of
our minds follow the temperature of the air wherein we live, then I
think the perusing of some mournful matter, tending to the view of a
notable example, will refresh your wits in a gloomy day, and ease your
weariness of the louring night. Which if it please you, may serve ye
also for a solemn revel against this festival time, for _Gismund's_
bloody shadow, with a little cost, may be entreated in her self-like
person to speak to ye.
Having therefore a desire to be known to your W., I devised this way
with myself to procure the same, persuading myself, there is nothing
more welcome to your wisdoms than the knowledge of wise, grave, and
worthy matters, tending to the good instructions of youths, of whom
you are mothers.
In this respect, therefore, I shall humbly desire ye to bestow a
favourable countenance upon this little labour, which when ye have
graced it withal, I must and will acknowledge myself greatly indebted
unto your ladyships in this behalf: neither shall I amongst the rest, that
admire your rare virtues (which are not a few in Essex), cease to
commend this undeserved gentleness.
Thus desiring the king of heaven to increase his graces in ye both,
granting that your ends may be as honourable as your lives are virtuous,
I leave with a vain babble of many needless words to trouble you
longer.
Your Worships' most dutiful and humble Orator, ROBERT WILMOT.

TO HIS FRIEND R.W.
Master R.W., look not now for the terms of an intreater: I will beg no
longer; and for your promises, I will refuse them as bad payment:
neither can I be satisfied with anything but a peremptory performance
of an old intention of yours, the publishing I mean of those waste
papers (as it pleaseth you to call them, but, as I esteem them, a most
exquisite invention) of Gismund's tragedy. Think not to shift me off
with longer delays, nor allege more excuses to get further respite, lest I
arrest you with my _actum est_, and commence such a suit of
unkindness against you, as when the case shall be scann'd before the

judges of courtesy, the court will cry out of your immoderate modesty.
And thus much I tell you before: you shall not be able to wage against
me in the charges growing upon this action, especially if the worshipful
company of the Inner-Temple gentlemen patronise my cause, as
undoubtedly they will, yea, and rather plead partially for me, than let
my cause miscarry, because themselves are parties. The tragedy was by
them most pithily framed, and no less curiously acted in view of her
Majesty, by whom it was then as princely accepted, as of the whole
honourable audience notably applauded: yea, and of all men generally
desired, as a work, either in stateliness of show, depth of conceit, or
true ornaments of poetical art, inferior to none of the best in that kind:
no, were the Roman Seneca the censurer. The brave youths that then (to
their high praises) so feelingly performed the same in action, did
shortly after lay up the book unregarded, or perhaps let it run abroad (as
many parents do their children once past dandling) not respecting so
much what hard fortune might befall it being out of their fingers, as
how their heroical wits might again be quickly conceived have been
ever since wonderful fertile. But this orphan of theirs (for he wand'reth
as it were fatherless) hath notwithstanding, by the rare and beautiful
perfections appearing in him, hitherto